The SMiEs (small
and micro enterprises) in India play an important role in the national
economy. It offers the largest employment opportunities, next only
to agriculture. The 11 million SSIs (Small Scale Industries) in
the country provide employment to about 25 million people. It accounts
for nearly 40% of the gross value of output in the manufacturing
sector and contributes to over 34% of total exports from the country.

The sector is currently facing several challenges.
It suffers due to inadequacies in capital, technology, and marketing
along with increasing competition due to globalization of the Indian
economy.
Energy is one of the critical inputs in a large number of small
and micro enterprises. Energy use is also closely linked with the
environmental pollution. In this context, application of new resource
efficient technologies becomes important.

Mainstreaming of technologies
is critical for the sustainable development of SMiEs and is closely
linked with improving livelihoods of several million workers employed
in these industries. The Competence Network for Small and Micro
Learning Enterprises or the CoSMiLE programme, focuses on this aspect
through increasing adoption of resource efficient technologies in
selected end-use sectors. This requires looking at the sectors in
a more holistic manner encompassing the concerns of the entrepreneurs
as well as the workers.more>>

"Fast-tracking
energy conservation in micro, small and medium
enterprises"
2 February 2011, New DelhiDetails